Friday, July 28, 2017

Henry Joseph

I just thought this little guy needed an update.  

He is:

6 months
18.75 pounds
He has:

two teeth
and rolls over


And he might be the happiest, sweetest baby on the planet (do I say that about everyone of my babies?  I think so).  But, truly, he is!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Early Mornings

If I don't set an alarm in the mornings, two of my kiddos are usually up before me.  The first is John Paul, and well, I know when he wakes up.  He's usually right by the side of my bed, making the slightest noise and peering into my closed eyes so when I open them it scares me to death.  

The other is Peter...and I usually find him like this.  


He's always creating.  He loves to be in the school room at this specific seat.


He may draw.  He may copy the titles of books.  He may cute and paste.  But he always puts his name on it.

He is the only one I see doing this for extended periods of time, and I just love watching him doing something he loves.

Maybe he will be an artist.  Maybe not.  For now, it's simply one of his favorite pastimes.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Mid-week Likes & Links



A friend gave us a few peaches the other day, and I found the.most.amazing.muffin.recipe.  Of course, it's from Sally's Baking Addiction, and on that note, she has a cookie cookbook available for pre-order!

Along those lines, I made this Blueberry Galette this week.  Okay, I made four.  But, not all for us!
I used a different crust, and I didn't add lemon zest.

I think I'm going to get these books for my kiddos.  I've heard great things about them.

My boys are always ruining the knees of their jeans.  So, I'm going to give these a shot.  Anyone else have luck with these?  Or know of pants for extra tall kids?

These peanuts are my new favorite snack.  They're really cheap around here, but if you don't live here, you can get them on Amazon.

I love the look of this shoe.

I'm finding a lot of Montessori stuff here and here - and by a lot, I mean, it is overwhelming.

I might have ordered these for family photos!

So many posted this yesterday, but I decided to, too!

Happy Wednesday!


Tuesday, July 25, 2017

I Did It Again

Do you ever have those moments when you think something will be really fun, and you plan all of these activities for your kids...and then discover that they're too little, too tired or just too sick to enjoy it?  (Raising my hand).  I do it all the time.  I want them to have all of these "special" moments and experiences, and well, sometimes I forget how old they are...or just how little it really takes for something to be "special" for them.

After all of our branding, visitors, birthdays and a week of swim lessons, we decided it would be fun to go to the cabin.  I mean, relaxing, right?  



It was going to be (and truly, it was), but before we even got out of town, we had to make a quick (not really) stop at the ER for some sever stomach pain of Peter's.  When that was clear and nothing, we pushed on.  The next morning we woke to kids with high fevers and terrible coughs.  

But, it didn't really stop them.  We discovered that we were there for a small balloon fest weekend complete with a tamale cook-off, and we wanted to make the most of it. Even when John Paul thought he'd die if he let go...


Carter was so excited to make use of his slingshot!

And, Henry chilled the entire weekend.

When he wasn't being kissed by this one.


She is quite the fan of powdered doughnuts.



We definitely had some movie time, too.  

Along with the balloon festival was a community pancake breakfast.  I know, the best weekend to go!

This guy didn't slow down.

And, I tried to have a little spa day for the girls at the cabin while the boys went fishing.  Not so much.


Someone liked it.




We also discovered that Genevieve is afraid of most things, even decks.



Truly though, it was a nice change of pace, even if things didn't go "as planned" and some felt under the weather.  I just always want things to be so special, and sometimes I fail to realize that they're just as special even when they aren't what I envisioned.  





Because sometimes it just takes days in your pjs, walks in the woods, having no agenda and simply enjoying life together to make it all worthwhile.












We even had an unexpected visitor.

Who Peter thought he might catch.




And, Sophie needed a few photos in her new dress to end the trip.



It was fun.  The memories we make everywhere we go together will be cherished in this momma heart forever as I remember so vividly the special moments with my family growing up.  It doesn't have to be anything extremely out of the ordinary...just moments together loving each other.


I couldn't be more grateful!